Birthright Tuornen Chapter Four

[ewancummins]

CAER HAES, THE COUNCIL


The Castellan, Sir Rory, speaks, "The dwarf is in the palace, Your Grace. I will have him brought to us at once. "

The old knight turns and issues orders to a page.


The Lord Mayor brushes a loose strand of hair from her face and sits up a little taller in her seat.

"Your Grace, I am concerned that the prisoners may spread a sickness into the city. I am told that some of them are ill. "

[JMaytr]

"Excellent, I wish to hear what he knows, why he was a prisoner. As to the possible sick, we shall erect churgion tents outside the castle walls and house any that show signs of illness. Healers from the western temple can see to them. We do not need a plague breaking out."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"Of course, Grace."

Then, turning to the Mayor, "As far as the sickness, I believe that conscription should help our problem as well. Once we get them drafted and outside of the city, they will no longer be a threat to Haes. By the hells, they may even improve their own health once away from the city."

"Ladies, gentlemen, it seems we all have much to do and little time to do it. Might I suggest we adjourn to pursue these actions?"

[JMaytr]

"There is still the matter of Roald "the sell sword" and the dwarf captive. Lord Mayor, captain, go erect the tents and see to conscripting men to repair the rivergate as their first task...What we need is a few good carpenters...we shall have to make do. "

[ewancummins]

"There is still the matter of Roald "the sell sword" and the dwarf captive. Lord Mayor, captain, go erect the tents and see to conscripting men to repair the rivergate as their first task...What we need is a few good carpenters...we shall have to make do. "

The Lord Mayor rises and takes Captain Rennalt by the hand.

"Yes, Your Grace, we will see to these matters at once."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"My pleasure, Your Grace." Rennault accepts the proffered hand with a bow then exits with the Lord Mayor.

After they have gone a way, Renn says, "Devlin's right about one thing, we need to see to that sell-sword. He could be quite the recruiting tool. If we can track him down, he might be useful at the recruiting tents to boot."

[ewancummins]

"My pleasure, Your Grace." Rennault accepts the proffered hand with a bow then exits with the Lord Mayor.

After they have gone a way, Renn says, "Devlin's right about one thing, we need to see to that sell-sword. He could be quite the recruiting tool. If we can track him down, he might be useful at the recruiting tents to boot."

The Lord Mayor smiles.
''Yes, that's what I was thinking too.''

...

After a brief search of the palace, they find the dwarf talking with a couple of guardsmen. The Lord Mayor(never 'Lady Mayor'-- the title does not change like that) commands the two soldiers to take the dwarf in for a council audience.

Moving on, Renn and the Lord Mayor soon discover Roald eating in the kitchen (the mess hall has been turned into an ad hoc hospital).

[Varrus the Ethical]

"Poor sots," Roald says as he notices the smell. At that moment, he became very grateful that he wasn't eating pork.

When he sees the Lord Mayor and Renn walk in, he says, "Lord Mayor, Captain Ghonallison! Come to get some food? You should help yourselves while the chicken soup is still tepid."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"Ah, just the man I was looking for!" Rennault claps Roald on the shoulder and takes a seat beside him. He eyes the soup with disdain, then chuckles. "Now that's the mark of a hardened soldier. They can ride for days, living on hard tack and piss-beer, and still have the stones to gripe about city food once the fighting's done." The watch commander wears an easy smile, the good humor plain on his face.

"Tell you what, Roald, you've done me a good turn so I'll pay you back and rescue you from this slop. I know a tavern where they roast ox on the joint. Let's get you a decent meal, show you what Haes has to offer. I know who broke the siege, friend, and we've a victory to celebrate."

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald arcs an eyebrow, "That would be splendid. Perhaps after I get paid for my good work by Sir Rory. Not just for the siege, but for escorting that mentally unstable noble woman out of the Young Duke's lands. Actually, I was hoping to speak with Young Duke himself."

[ewancummins]

Roald arcs an eyebrow, "That would be splendid. Perhaps after I get paid for my good work by Sir Rory. Not just for the siege, but for escorting that mentally unstable noble woman out of the Young Duke's lands. Actually, I was hoping to speak with Young Duke himself."

The Lord Mayor (in Haes this important office is held by a woman, unusual but not unheard of) smooths the folds of her blue court robes and smiles blandly at Roald. She was perhaps beautiful when she was a younger woman, but now wears the aspect of a careworn mother, thin and a little solemn. Streaks of gray show in her auburn hair.

"Indeed, the duke sent us to find you. Personally. A high honor."

[ewancummins]

THE GORGON'S CROWN


Reese returns with a small crowd of rowdy, cheering men and a few women.

The people gather round to watch the wrastling match, while Reese takes bets and collects money...

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald bows his head at the Lord Mayor (He met her when he first arrived at Caer Haes), "A high honor indeed. It is a pleasure to meet you again, Lord Mayor." He stands up from his seat. "Lead the way, I'm sure that his Grace has important issues to discuss with me." I certainly have important issues to discuss with him.

[ewancummins]

THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

A dwarf enters flanked by two guardsmen. The stout, coal-black demihuman walks forward and bows before Duke Devlin. Devlin notices flecks of gold in the dwarf's dark hair, even glints of the yellow color in his eyes. When the rescued captive smiles, gold gleams from caps set on his teeth.

"Atli the Moneylender and Changer of Coins, at Your Grace’s service—I thank you for saving me from my enemies.”

[JMaytr]

"How and why did you come to be captured by the Alamiens?" the Duke asks sternly.